title: Laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy using laparosonic coagulating shears.
abstract: With marked innovations in endosurgical instrumentation, operative laparoscopy to include lymphadenectomy has become feasible and has a valuable role in the management of gynecologic malignancy. We used laparosonic coagulating shears (LCS) for laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy in two women with cervical carcinoma. Operating times for the laparoscopic portion were 55 and 65 minutes and blood loss was 20 and 30 ml, respectively. No surgical complications were encountered. Lymphatic tissues were evaluated histologically and no thermal artifacts were identified. The major advantage of the ultrasonically activated scalpel of the LCS is the ability to cut and coagulate tissues simultaneously without electrical current. The LCS may afford the surgeon a greater margin of safety than unipolar electrocoagulation scissors by eliminating potential thermal and electrical injury to vital structures. Ultrasonic-activated technology deserves extended clinical investigation in laparoscopic lymphadenectomy to substantiate our preliminary findings, as well as to explore its potential in gynecologic oncology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 2040 West Charleston Boulevard, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen-Gunther
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mannel
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sienko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013997:Time Factors; D014465:Ultrasonics; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery